Longwood has reopened

Clematis in bloom at the far end of the Flower Walk.

I've been visiting Longwood Gardens as long as I can remember, even long ago when admission was free. I've been to Longwood for fireworks, for light shows, for concerts and musicals; I've walked its paths in subfreezing temps and the heat of summer, during droughts and renovations. 

But never before during a pandemic.

Longwood reopened to members on June 18 after being shut since mid-March. You have to make timed reservations online (hours and days of operation are limited), and I signed up for Friday, June 19, at 1 p.m. As you drive in the main entrance, you're diverted to the overflow parking area, where they make sure you do indeed have a reservation (you can show them your confirmation code on your phone or on a printout) before allowing you to enter the main parking lot. I parked in Row H.

In the lobby, you scan your confirmation code and show a photo ID before you're allowed to enter the Gardens proper. Masks are required in the lobby and are encouraged throughout the Gardens, and I would say about 75% of visitors, as well as all staff, wore them the whole time.

There were a lot of people there, but nothing like during the Christmas season. Visitors were really good about keeping apart from others. The only time I felt encroached upon was when I was standing on the terrace overlooking the main fountains: a young unmasked couple walked right up next to me. At the Eye of Water, people spaced themselves out by sitting in the corners.

View from the Rose Garden looking toward the Conservatory.

You can scan the QRS code on the map placards posted throughout the garden for details on what's open and closed. The fountains are all operating, but the Conservatory, the Peirce du Pont house, the Chimes Tower, the indoor restaurants and the pump room/grotto were all closed. Only one room in the gift shop is open, but they're selling Longwood-raised annuals outside. Only a few restrooms are open. The Beer Garden, with numbered outdoor tables and masked waiters, was open and quite busy.

It was great to be back at Longwood, even if it wasn't the same experience as usual. With my mask covering my nose, I couldn't smell the eucalyptus that was flourishing in the Flower Walk. 

It was sad not to be able to smell the eucalyptus.

I heard no foreign languages; usually there are plenty of tourists from overseas. With so many people wearing masks, sunglasses and hats I recognized nobody, even though I'm sure some friends were there at the same time.

 

Longwood visitors walking near the Eye of Water.

All of the fountains are still operating.

NEW GARDEN: Newark Road closure at Hillendale Road

As you've probably noticed, the busy intersection of Hillendale and Newark Roads in New Garden Township was shut down on May 19 for reconstruction. 

We stopped by on June 20 to check out the progress.

You would not even recognize the intersection. Many trees have been removed from the roadsides to improve visibility, and the roads are being torn up and widened.  

I am standing in the middle of Newark Rd., looking east on Hillendale Rd. Looks a little different, huh!

Looking north on Newark Road. 

Lying on the grass at the southeast corner of the intersection is the sign that once forbade motorists from making left turns from Newark Rd. onto Hillendale Rd.

Here's the official description of the project, which is expected to take five months (from New Garden's website): 

"This project includes reconstruction of the intersection approaches of Newark & Hillendale road and extending sewer through the project limits. Proposed improvements include: adjustment of the horizontal and vertical alignments at the intersection, construction on a left-turn lane to mediate southbound movements from Newark Road onto Eastbound Hillendale Road, installation of guiderail along Hillendale Road, single face barrier installation along Newark Road, reconstruction of two culverts on Newark & Hillendale Road, and overall widening on both roads."

Here is a map of the project site and the detour route:

Local primary results still aren't "final"

As of June 17, the results from the June 2 primary were still listed as "unofficial" on the Chester County Voter Services' website. Results were delayed due to the need to collect and process mail-in ballots. So bear in mind that the following information may be subject to change.
Across Chester County, turnout was 34% overall, and most of the precincts throughout the county had turnouts in the 30% range. Pennsbury Township's North-1 precinct had the county's highest turnout, at 60%, and Kennett Township's third precinct had a 51% turnout (turnout is always superb due, I believe, to the presence of the Kendal/Crosslands retirement community, home of many highly educated and politically active retirees). Newlin had a 41% turnout, and here in West Marlborough 250 of the 593 registered voters cast their ballots.
In the presidential race, countywide Joe Biden received 60,280 votes (81% of the Democratic vote) and Bernie Sanders got 11,694 (15%). On the Republican side, Donald Trump received 38,008 votes (82% of the Republican vote). 
For the Sixth District in the U.S. Congress, Democratic incumbent Chrissy Houlihan received 71,116 votes and Republican challenger John Emmons received 44,285.
In the race for state Senator in the 19th District (the seat held for many years by Democrat Andy Dinniman, who is retiring), state Rep. Carolyn Comitta received 51% of the vote, beating Don Vymazal (31%) and Kyle Boyer (16%). Comitta, former mayor of West Chester, will face Republican Kevin Runey in November.
In the 160th District (currently represented by Republican Stephen Barrar, who is retiring), Democrat Anton Andrew beat Cathy Spahr, 84% to 14%, and will face Republican Craig Williams, who was unchallenged.
I'll keep an eye on the results and will let you know when they are "final." The excellent website is at https://pennsylvania.totalvote.com/Chester

Save the Date, COVID version!

We're all used to receiving "Save the Date" postcards for weddings, but this was a first: we just received a "Save the Date" refrigerator magnet for a First Wedding Anniversary Party. The engaged couple had a lavish wedding planned for this summer at a posh-sounding King of Prussia venue -- I for one was looking forward to it -- but of course had to cancel due to the pandemic. Hence the need for a second "Save the Date" notification. A creative solution, I think. 
Dearest Partner raises a good question, though: Do we send a wedding present? Or wait for the first anniversary?

Out to dinner!

Did it feel strange, eating our first meal actually inside a restaurant since March 11?
No, it felt great. Yes, all the staff were wearing masks, and the waitress who brought our food asked permission before setting the plates down in front of us.
But the dining experience essentials were all there: we walked into the restaurant, sat down at a table, and were served dinner. Joy!
There is such a pent-up demand for going out to a restaurant that we actually had a tough time getting a reservation, even on a Wednesday night. One restaurant had no openings until 8 p.m. -- too late for me. At the place we chose, the Iron Hill Brewery on Main Street in Newark, every sidewalk table was full, so we ate inside (just as well; it was hot out there on the sidewalk). 
We wore masks as we walked into the restaurant but could take them off as we sat down. Some of the booths were taped off for social distancing, which cut down on the people watching. 
For dinner we had crab cakes with grilled asparagus (me) and a steak with broccoli (the Dearest Partner). No procedural changes were involved in the ordering or check-paying process. 
When the party across the room from us left, we noticed that a masked busboy promptly came out and cleaned and disinfected the entire booth, even pulling the table out so he could sweep up underneath.
We thanked the hostess and the waiters and told them we were so glad they were reopening. They seemed every bit as grateful.

UNIONVILLE: A life well lived

The Rev. John "Jack" L. Ferguson, longtime pastor of the Unionville Presbyterian Church, passed away the morning of Tuesday, June 9. Rev. Ferguson was known for delivering memorable eulogies in which he'd spell out the deceased person's name, choosing an appropriate quality for each letter. He was ordained and installed as pastor in 1959 and retired in 1997 after 42 years of service. In 1979 he was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce.
I will pass along funeral arrangements when they become available.

Some excellent Giant employees

It cannot be easy to work at a grocery store even at the best of times. And these days, add in the risk of virus transmission; short-tempered, entitled patrons; and new safety rules and I'm sure it's even worse.
That said, I want to give a shout-out to two employees at the New Garden Giant on Scarlett Road, Luke, who works at the self-serve registers, and Dairy Associate Jason. 
The other day Jason noticed me peering at the yogurt case, asked if he could help, and went back to the storage room to track down the exact kind of yogurt I was looking for. 
And Luke, tasked with cleaning the check-out stations after every customer, stood at attention like a Wimbledon ball-boy so he could spring into action as soon as customers took their receipts. He saw that the register was being balky and came over and got it to work, again without my even asking.
Great job, guys!